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Every living thing needs water to survive. Humans use with it in a variety of ways, numerous times a day. But how often do we consider the complexity of that interaction? And, unless we're confronted by a lack of water, when do we think about how important it is in creating, sustaining and enriching life?

This documentary brings together diverse stories from 10 countries around the globe about people and their relationship with water. What they use it for, what they learn from it, and why they're drawn to it, as well as the consequences from overuse.

The film focusses on massive floating abalone farms off China’s Fujian coast and the construction site of the biggest arch dam in the world – the Xiluodu, six times the size of the Hoover. It also takes a look at the barren desert delta where the mighty Colorado River no longer reaches the ocean, and the water-intensive leather tanneries of Dhaka.

  Canadian Connection: Director Jennifer Baichwal was born in Montreal, Quebec and raised in Victoria, British Columbia. Director Edward Burtynsky was born in St. Catharines, Ontario.